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Charcoal is black, teeth are white. Two questions are raised in my mind. How does it make your teeth whiter since the concept seems so counter-intuitive? And what other possible benefits can I get with this new product from Colgate?

Here’s a snippet from good ol’ wikipedia

Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, activated coal, or carbo activatus, is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.[1]Activated is sometimes substituted with active.

Due to its high degree of microporosity, just one gram of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 500 m2, as determined by gas adsorption. An activation level sufficient for useful application may be attained solely from high surface area; however, further chemical treatment often enhances adsorption properties.

This microporosity and surface area in just a minute amount of charcoal is more than a football field! I now realize the logic behind how it can remove toxins and stains from your teeth resulting in whiter teeth! Benefits from a substantial amount of toxins and bacteria being expunged from your mouth are stated on the the professional looking tube of toothpaste, to protect from cavities, plaque, sensitivity, tartar, staining, bad breath, et cetera.

On top of the aesthetic quality of whiter teeth and social appeal of fresh breath, removing bacteria also contributes largely to better mouth health. Now I know why #BlackIsTheNewClean.

GENERAL! A decidedly Men’s store, one of the few in Manila. I was invited over to check out the new collection of Lyle & Scott, being on a holiday and fond of the brand, I decided to make the visit. The moment you step into the GENERAL store, a feeling of quality is felt. The polished concrete floors, geometric tiles, oxblood chesterfield couch all lend an air that is very british and longstanding.

I particularly liked the window display as it was travel themed and had an informed explorer feel to it as opposed to a glossy, well-heeled yet out of place checklist traveller.

I love Harrington jackets, they have always been quintessentially british to me. The red one is perfect for people looking to incorporate (a lot) more color into their wardrobes.

I take a long time looking and selecting clothes, thinking of how to incorporate into my existing closet, if the stitches are clean, if the material is natural or synthetic, and the walang kamatayang “is this a good investment?”

Trying things on, I opened the curtain just for the photo of course! This is an older piece, but fits really well, felt like Steve McQueen until the moment I took it off.

No fail oxford shirt, with some nice details that make it unique.

Of course a discussion about the different brands available in the store, top of my head I remember Lyle & Scott, Penfield, Johnston & Murphy, SWIMS, Clae, Herschel, Hedgren, Boxfresh and Reyn Spooner. Well established brands that are identifiable for us guys and with rich brand histories. GENERAL is a good store to check out if you’re looking for new styles or upgrades to your existing favorites.

Ritz, ang blurry ng photo mo! Haha, black and white nga lang. The one right next to me is Abe, Country Manager for Nuffnang Philippines! Usually in Geekynights he’s the tech guru and Mr. Yugatech, or plain ol’ Abe but that night he was hotshot bigwig mode haha!

Nuffnang is the world’s leading blog advertising community which connects brands with bloggers, as well as strengthens ties and relationships between other bloggers as well. It’s like a big summer camp with lots of talented folk, wherein everyone has their own expertise or speciality. You have style and fashion bloggers, tech bloggers, food bloggers, fitness bloggers, et cetera. It’s a great mix of interesting characters! Interaction is usually more online than offline (irl) so it was great to hang out and share ideas and of course eat, drink and be merry at the Nuffnang Country Manager’s Dinner which happened at Vyne at Bonifacio Global City.

A flurry of drinks and cocktails were served.

Together with a 9-course meal!

I am sure the food bloggers’ photos are way better! Our table couldn’t resist the food long enough to shoot it!

Developing opinions on the food served.

I am easily pleased, burger burger burger!

On to the awards! Project queen (person with most projects) this year was Jackie Go!

Highest …hair was David Guison! Haha just kidding bro!

I was a runner-up in that category as well! Okay ba?

Other awards were given that night as well as King of Projects, as well as top hits! But more importantly, we had a name that tune game which I was sure I’d win.

Impromptu hosting courtesy of Nyko.

The party was divided into teams, one team per table!

The Soshal Network with their best guesses cracked everyone up!

I had a chance to win but I messed up Britney Spears’ song title, apparently it’s “…Baby One More Time” and not “Hit Me Baby One More time” Grrrr… sayang! It’s ok, I’m not pikon. Honest!

Bloggers United 8 was fun! A little rushed since I had to make my way back home again to pack relief goods, but fun. I think I must’ve listened to the internet too much about the weather as I came too prepared wearing a rain jacket to overcast conditions. I knew I had to take a photo as evidence! Haha, thanks Divine for taking the photo. Pwede na.

Lots of great pieces from very informed and stylish people! Hi JP!

Cotton candy! Was tempted but opted for some “real” food instead.

I liked how Sbarro was here this year! Like I said, real food! Pizza is a major food group.

Divine and Dani

Divine and friends!

Will have to stay longer next time! Congratulations Bloggers United, we did it!

I don’t remember which band I’ve seen perform live last, it always used to be a sort of checklist or a matter of updating the list I have on songkick.com. When the announcement was made (when I saw the news on Instagram) I knew I had to see CHVRCHES! I had only seen them once before, during Coachella early this year but the stage was ultra packed and I could only get so near. Music festivals are great, but going to a venue for the sole purpose of seeing one band perform live has its advantages as everyone is really there just to see them, and you’re more likely to get a better spot relatively up front. The energy of the crowd is very enthusiastic and infectious, half of which with phones up trying to perpetuate their performance. Met some fans who lined up as early as 3PM, talk about dedication! I had a great time, they sound very electro live and have a bit more edge and attitude. Whatever is in the water in Glasgow works, as so many notable music acts have emerged from there.

Amazing night, congratulations to such an extraordinary show Vybe Productions, SM Accessories and should I say Laneway Productions? Perhaps Manila is ready for its very own Laneway Festival as well. Excited for the coming year!

I, like millions of Filipinos have commuted my way around the metropolis and even to some provinces!In high school, my friends and classmates all had their rides, which I didn’t really envy since I didn’t really have to be anywhere important at that time. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about gas money or parking! This mindset of mine went well on until college, wherein I still took both the MRT and the LRT to get to DLSU everyday. The everyday commute, eventually got me dreaming about a car. To tell you honestly, the yearning for a set of wheels was inevitable. I was tired. Tired of having to deal with cramped riding spaces, the rush hour lines, and patting myself down for stored value cards. I’d had enough! True, the savings made with choosing to take public transportation could prompt one to reconsider the big decision of purchasing a vehicle, but I’d like to believe that as a person moves up in life, their time becomes even more valuable to themselves and to others. Time is a definite luxury and the ability to choose what to do with it is worth more than gold. A car gives an individual the opportunity to manage time.

A car is independence. It is freedom. The liberation from queuing up at a taxi lane, and the ability to act when an emergency (heaven forbid) should happen. One can also expect to be as safe in a car as they can be within their own home. These conveniences, luxuries coupled with safety, are yet more pros to add to the numerous benefits to owning a car. If you have read this far, I’m sure you’ve already weighed the pros and cons of ownership.

Still, factoring in the downpayment, the monthly amortisation and all other expenses, including maintenance can seem very daunting especially to first-timer buyers. Besides the usual worries, there is also that doubt if your loan will be approved or not! See, it makes no difference if you’re a college student or an accomplished businessman, that worry will always be present. Before, one would have to wait a week or two, or even longer to find out the decision. Nowadays however, it can be within 24 hours be it a loan for a brand new or used car! This type of convenience and efficient service given to borrowers is a refreshing change and is one of the many things why I appreciate BDO Auto Loan. Flexible terms are also given importance and can be tailored to your lifestyle and budget, with a minimum downpayment of 20% (brand new) or 30% (for used cars) one can be sure to drive off with a great deal. If you are also feeling more confident and/or want to lower your amortisation, you can simply increase your initial cash out.

So let’s have a quick rundown.

Flexible payment terms that fit your budget, check!

Option for both brand new and used cars, check!

Fast loan processing. Approval within 24 hours, check!

Lower amortisation with increased initial cash out, check!

Payment convenience, check!

One other neat thing is that you can earn BDO Rewards Points with your BDO Auto Loan which can be redeemed at any SM Department store for items of your choice. Now how’s that for sweetening the deal.

End of the day, some luxuries seem too lofty, extravagant and hard to reach. But I believe that BDO offers luxury within reach. To finally wake up in the morning, head to your garage and to start up the engine of the car you’ve always wanted and be filled with that feeling of confidence that you can go anywhere and anyplace.

I’ve been currently busy with a number of sports these past few months, I rediscovered my love for ice hockey and at the same time ventured into the world of triathlon (having recently done my first olympic distance triathlon in Bohol). That means I have already tested my swim, bike, and run ability individually and all at once! On the training side I have a non-serious/serious documented training log on instagram (#vsroadtotri) On top of that, I still regularly hit the gym for some much needed injury prevention and strengthening. It’s great to lead such an active lifestyle lately, I’ve noticed my mood has been very good and I find it easier to not sweat the small stuff. I’ve regained my early mornings as I wake up before the sunrise on some days of the week to train and it is also very calming to see the city when it is quiet and sleepy. I then hop in the shower and start off my day refreshed and ready for either taping, guesting, or events.

There are a lot of pros to always being on the go, getting a lot accomplished and ticking off your to-do list like a professional but one of the most important things that usually goes unchecked is making sure that your immune system is strong enough to keep you running throughout the day. What’s worse is when you’re not getting enough vitamins and minerals, sapping you of energy and even immunity, severely affecting your productivity and momentum.

I personally would rather not take that risk and undermine weeks of training or miss out on opportunities/work that I could be doing if I were to get sick, just because I don’t have a strong immune system. Not everyone has the time or can eat an amount of food that can support all your nutritional needs to strengthen immunity, that’s why a multivitamin must be utilized to help complete your protection from sickness!

I personally feel, more comfortable with Centrum. A very established brand that has 30 years of nutritional science and over 100,000 patient years of exposure in clinical studies making it the world’s most studied multivitamin brand.

Centrum has a complete profile of vitaminsand minerals that help build immunity, like Vitamins C, A, and E, Betacarotene, Selenium, Zinc, and so much more. Immunity should be held at a high premium, since it is essentially your armor to help you perform your daily activities, meet deadlines, and accomplish the tasks before you. Having a strong immune system is step one to actualizing your dream of running a marathon, getting a fitter body or even just making sure that your vacation doesn’t end up with you cooped up in a hotel room nursing a cold.

Providing a range of health benefits with the vitamins and minerals, you can be sure to have the energy, immunity, healthy skin among others to power through that workout, have the energy to take on more tasks and essentially rocking whatever you do.

To help complete your nutrition and get multiple health benefits, choose Centrum. #BeComplete from A to Zinc at only P10 SRP daily! Take Centrum every day.

There comes a time when a boy becomes a man and along with that the need to groom his facial hair! We’ve all been there, imagining a smooth, clean shave only to emerge out of one’s bathroom with rolled up pieces of tissue to cover up your hack job. Not smooth, not smooth at all! No need to go back in time and relive the horror! Schick is here to save you from the nicks and cuts and to keep you looking your best!!

I personally tried the Schick Exacta 2. It would just glide on my face and low and behold no cuts!It’s really a convenient and rejuvenating experience in the morning.The experience is even smoother and more refreshing if you use it with Schick Shave Guard. I can only imagine how much smoother and refreshing it would be if I’d used Schick Shave Guard! Available in all leading health and beauty stores, supermarket and drugstores as well! There are a number of Schick products suited to your lifestyle and needs!

Schick Quattro 4 Titanium – Features a titanium-coated blade for smooth shaves for less irritation. Rubber guard bar prepares skin before blade and a compact pivoting head follows contour and the ribbed grip makes it easier to suited for the task. Also features an edging blade on the back of the main razor for hard to reach spaces.

Schick Quattro Titanium Freestyle – Four titanium coated blades, and an edging blade for precise and more focused shaving . Has a lubricating strip with aloe, vitamin E and B-5. Waterproof and comes with one Energizer AAA battery for free!

Schick Exacta 2 – Easy to clean cartridges with a built-in lubricating strip which preps the face and lubricates during shaving! Combined with Shave Guard, the Exacta 2 system improves the performance for an optimum shave reducing the chances of chaﬁng and razor burn!

Pretty cool and capable stuff! Anyway, the other week Schick invited a number of bloggers including myself to try out Free-running or parkour facilitated by the Ninja Academy over at the Gatorade hoops centre. They turned the place into a free running loop complete with elevated obstacles and balance beam like structures!

Here are photos!

Aside from giving us guys the opportunity to be like #smoothlee and ninja like, Schick is also giving away a trip for 2 to Hong Kong and Macau or win 2 tablets up for grabs! How cool is that?!

Directions below:

To join, download the Schick Smooth Lee Adventure mobile app on google play or app store. Create your own video using the app. Then submit your entry through this contest app http://schick.com.ph/smoothlee!

Step 1. Download Smooth Lee App (iOS and Android)!

Step 2. Create your very own Schick TV commercial using the app (video will be converted to youtube)!

Step 3: You will be prompted register in Schick website, submit entry, and like Schick facebook fan

My first ever triathlon, concluded recently. After 4 months of hard training which consisted of swim, bike and run, I tested myself in the waters and roads of Panglao Island, Bohol. Bag above wasn’t mine, but whoa! Check out all the races he or she did! The early birds on chinese time, haha! Waiting for the rest to arrive! When I was introduced to Fred Uytengsu he said to me “so you’re drinking the Kool-Aid as well now huh?” jokingly. Haha! Really nice fellow.

On to the race!

Swim start was surreal, as we had to walk about a hundred meters out since it was lowtide. But was surprised by the sudden depth shortly after, waiting for the start signal 20 or so athletes (including myself) avoided treading water by perching ourselves on a half submerged rock. Incredible feeling of steady yet intense silence. Then we were off!

The pros were of course out of the water first! You see the camaraderie in the sport as Eric Watson helps out Josh with his speedsuit’s zipper.

Swimming is both very unnerving, frantic and calm and fluid at the same time depending on what you focus on in your mind. I just went back to my training with Coach Noel Salvador and tried to relax, I must’ve sighted about a dozen times, always surprised that the big buoys which marked the distance were still far off. When I finally felt some fatigue settling in, I just remembered why I set off to do the triathlon in the first place. This was for my friend, an inspiring person who believed in goals and ideals and new ideas, and who really really loved almost anything from a certain company from Cupertino. Out of the water. Finally!

On to the bike, where any type of rehearsal or practice can hardly prepare you for the speed of transition. I visualized a flying mount, but ended up being logical and just safely inserting my foot while stationary. Through the straights and climbs, I just kept counting 1-2-3-4 recalling the turbo trainer sessions with Matteo Giudicelli and Ivan Carapiet to at least keep my cadence at a constant 80-90rpm. Nice thing about the Safeguard Active 5150 Triathlon was that it had a few u-turns that allowed me to see the rest of my teammates pushing! Went past a few water stations too quickly, knocking some bottles off of volunteers’ hands. This was a tough course with false flats and a few non-aero bar friendly stretches. I was so happy to have finally switched over to the run portion after consuming 3 or so gels on the bike.

Running off the bike felt like a big disconnect and even if I must’ve perspired buckets, I didn’t feel any lighter. But, as always trust your training! Running barefoot by this time since I successfully did a flying dismount (at least!) put on my visor and Rudy Project Philippines sunglasses and improvised with getting the sand off my feet using my Saucony Philippines Fasttwitch 6s via pagpag method. Highly effective and actually no choice since my newbie self forgot to bring a towel.

Still off to the races! Running this time, which I’ve been doing the most leading up to the race (weekdays run crew with Noel dela Merced, Raj, Gerome, and Jasper!) helped a lot I think as I was a little more confident and finally found my legs after a few hundred meters. I was getting stitches probably from the timing of my nutrition (ie: gels) but soldiered on, had some hardcore rocksalt offered to me but I opted for the fizzy caffeinated drinks for those last few kms. The cheers from the crowds lining the course was a big help, as did the cooler, overcast weather. Approaching the final stretch, I sprinted and forgot all my practiced “finisher” poses and just raised my hands up in accomplishment, relief and thankfulness that I was able to finish such a race. My super supportive girlfriend ;-) Divine was at the finish line, but I was unashamedly too in the moment to properly pose for a photo. But did after my timing chip was removed! My good friends Elmer la Pena, Charmaine and Rajo Lareul were also there, talk about support! Super thank you for documenting and being there to share in my personal victories! I’m sure you guys had fun also! Matteo and Ivan at bike check-in before the race. Kristy also! Before the urchin attack! Trophies, and the DJ. The very fast Raj Moreno! Bikewash? Haha! Envious of this, next time will take a jumping shot also! Haha. I think our group was still in the ice bath! Matteo snapping photos of his dad Gianluca! Congratulations Giorgia! Podium finish! Rudy Project represent! These transition bags were invaluable during our race here in Bohol! Trusty multicab Which transported our bikes! I need one of these! I got one of these too! Separate flights equals separation anxiety! Haha! Rajo, Divine and Elmer! I finally got to take a photo with Belinda Granger who is a 15x Ironman distance champion and member of the Australian Ironman Hall of Fame! All in all, I would do it again. The energy, enthusiasm and competitiveness really got me hooked. That’s why I signed up for a couple of more races! Thank you so much to Tessa Prieto Valdes for inviting me to Nuvali rides back when I was still on my fixie, and got me interested in triathlon in the first place. Noel, who I ran with in Central Park after a sleepless night and had to discover compression socks for the first time. Ivan for inviting me to come train with boys, and recklessly telling me I can do it despite the short time frame leading up to the race. Matteo for being so strict with training “push! push!” Ranfu (for offering me anti-fog drops first time I met you) Giorgia, Kristy, Stefano, Claudia, Anjo and AF for entrusting me with a bike temporarily! Tita Glenna and Gianluca for the yummy food after training. Coach Bok for strengthening! Lawrence for putting me on the roster of DMax, I really felt I had to earn my spot very quickly. And last but not the least Coach Noel Salvador, for teaching my lumbering self to swim this year! Big up also to Saucony Philippines, Rudy Project, Specialized, 2XU and RETUL (Glenn Colendrino)!